Red-shouldered Hawk in December
Where red-shouldered hawks are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Red-shouldered Hawk's year
December is the start of the true winter season. Birds are settled into winter ranges and flocking behavior peaks — mixed flocks move through woods and yards together, and feeding stations become social hubs. Short days mean birds must find most of their food in a few hours of daylight.
For the Red-shouldered Hawk specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 42 states and provinces where red-shouldered hawks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where red-shouldered hawks are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, red-shouldered hawks are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in December
Red-shouldered hawks are not nesting in December. The season runs March–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, red-shouldered hawks put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in December
- Voles, mice and small birds
A woodland hawk of leafy suburbs, often perching low over ponds and yards. Blue Jays copy its call.
Feeders are busiest at dawn and dusk as birds fuel up against long cold nights. Suet and other high-fat foods earn their keep this month.
Full Red-shouldered Hawk diet guide → · Best feeder for red-shouldered hawks →
Watching red-shouldered hawks this month
Red-shouldered hawks are settled and predictable in December, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region red-shouldered hawks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Red-shouldered Hawk month by month
Red-shouldered Hawk by state
Frequently asked
Where are red-shouldered hawks in December?
In December, red-shouldered hawks are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do red-shouldered hawks nest in December?
No — red-shouldered hawks typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do red-shouldered hawks eat in December?
Voles, mice and small birds.
Sources
- Red-shouldered Hawk — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-shouldered Hawk life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-shouldered Hawk — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.